Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Policy, Management and Budget Joan Mooney visited Georgia to showcase how President Biden’s Investing in America agenda is aiding wildland fire management efforts. Mooney emphasized the importance of the collaborative partnership between various organizations in establishing the Georgia Native Seed Network to address the lack of genetically appropriate seeds in the Southeast, which can hinder wildfire recovery and habitat restoration.

Mooney stated, "The solutions created through this collaborative partnership will be used to meet future wildfire recovery and other land management needs while minimizing cost, creating jobs, and bolstering the native plant industry in the private sector."

During her visit to the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Mooney was briefed on seed collecting and processing, as well as the growth of plants from seed through the Georgia Native Seed Network. These efforts align with the Department’s National Native Seed Strategy Keystone Initiative, focusing on securing enough native seeds and plants for land restoration post-wildfires and other climate impacts.

Mooney also highlighted the Department's recent allocation of $79 million to enhance wildfire detection capabilities, reduce wildfire risks, aid in rehabilitating burned areas, and upgrade technology for wildfire incident management teams. Part of this investment will go towards developing locally adapted seeds and plant materials to revegetate areas severely affected by wildfires.

These investments in wildland fire management build upon the more than $780 million previously allocated by the Interior Department under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Through this law, the Department is investing $1.5 billion over five years to strengthen its wildland firefighting workforce and enhance the resilience of communities and lands facing wildfire threats.

Mooney emphasized that these investments will support the nation's wildland fire workforce, accelerate fuels management and burned area rehabilitation, and advance wildland fire science. The goal is to improve wildfire risk assessments, response times, and the overall effectiveness and safety of wildfire responses.

To track the funding invested under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Department encourages individuals to visit their interactive map showcasing thousands of projects nationwide.